Yellowknife considers the merits of bicycle lanes in the north

Wednesday, CBC News North reported that the Yellowknife city council is debating the merits of cycling infrastructure in a city of 20 000 people. Coun. Cory Vanthuyne is against the idea of using taxpayers’ money to enhance Yellowknife’s current infrastructure. He cites two key components: the city’s size and that he has never been approached by local cyclists asking for better infrastructure.

These sentiments come in response to a five-year plan proposed by the Yellowknife city council this past fall. The proposal includes building two-way bike lanes on the city’s major corridors. In an effort to gain support, the city hosted an open house recently to showcase the proposal. Additionally, Yellowknife city council posted an online survey in which 153 people contributed their thoughts. According to CBC’s report, close to 70 per cent of those who voted were in support of separated bike lanes for the city. However, many city councillors are still set against the proposal. Coun. Niels Kong suggested that bike lanes are clearly not a pressing issue for the city given that only 153 people contributed to an online survey.

In a northern region where snow plowing and parking are consistent and prevalent issues, many are questioning the logic behind bicycle lanes. Yellowknife city council has yet to make a firm decision on the proposal and will discuss the topic next week according to Mayor Mark Heyck.